Friday's Foodie Find

I always love finding new gadgets that make life easier in the kitchen. My current obsession is my Juiceman citrus juicer. It only juices citrus fruits but it's cheap and awesome. What makes this thing amazing is that it's electric. All you do is plug it in, cut your fruit in half, and push the citrus down on the juicer. I buy tons of lemons and limes and juice about 10 at the beginning of every week. I keep the juice in mason jars in my fridge so when I need lemon or lime juice (for cooking but mostly for my cocktails on the weekends) I just pour it in. Simple, convenient, and only about $25 at Target!

Tin Angel

One of my favorite restaurants in Nashville is Tin Angel. It's a cool, casual, neighborhood bistro with amazing food and a great vibe. Lucky for me, my house is a five minute walk to the restaurant. It's amazing to be able to walk down for a casual dinner at the bar any night of the week. My boyfriend and I definitely eat here once a week if we can.


I love the atmosphere of Tin Angel almost as much as the food. The exposed brick, fireplace, copper bar, tin ceiling, and local art remind me of a neighborhood joint you'd find in Greenwich Village. In fact, Tin Angel is named after a now closed restaurant in New York.


This past Tuesday we decided to sit at our usual spot at the bar and have dinner with a friend. If you don't like sitting at the bar, request to sit at one of the tables in the window. It's nice to watch the hustle and bustle of West End while enjoying a relaxing dinner.


When you go to Tin Angel, always start with the fried green tomatoes. They are the best fried green tomatoes I have ever had, seriously! They are extra crispy and served with a perfect horseradish sauce (I always order extra sauce with my tomatoes). For my entree, I ordered the Med Salad; an entree sized salad with fresh greens, orzo pasta, roasted red peppers, red onion, chickpeas, tomatoes, artichokes, toasted pumpkin seeds, feta, and grilled shrimp. A big salad! I'm not a huge shrimp fan so I usually get the salad without it, but this time I ordered the salad as is, and it was really good. 

I always get the Lemon-Herb dressing with this salad. Yum!

My boyfriend ordered his usual and one of the most popular dishes at Tin Angel, the Lobster and Shrimp Risotto. Let me tell you, this stuff is good! Risotto is one of my favorite foods if done right and they do it right. It is garlicky, buttery, cheesy, and comes with tons of warm red and yellow tomatoes that are to perfectly in season right now and are to die for. 

An amazing dish!

Our friend ordered another one of my favorite dishes, the Pasta Med. It is the only thing I ordered at Tin Angel for the first two years I started going there regularly. I couldn't not order it! It's a delicious pasta full of all my favorite things: tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, capers, spinach, artichokes, and feta cheese. Delicious!

My friend ordered his Pasta Med with meatballs.

As usual, we were too full for dessert but I was forced to order their Dark Chocolate Whiskey Indulgence which is an individually baked chocolate gooey brownie of sorts served with vanilla bean ice cream. It's pretty amazing. My boyfriend knows I'm happier when I have chocolate around so he got one to take home. 


When we move, which probably won't be long, I'm going to be sad that Tin Angel isn't right down the street. However, it's totally worth a drive. I definitely can't live without Pasta Med or their Fried Green Tomatoes in my life. And you shouldn't either! Go check them out.


P.S. - They have a killer brunch as well!


Happy Eating,
Evyn

Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Co.

Chocolate might be my favorite thing in the world. Cheese and wine are at the top of my list of course, but chocolate definitely makes me the happiest. In the past, I've always been a milk chocolate only kind of girl. I never really understood how chocolate was chocolate without all the butter and sugar. Well, let me rephrase. I did understand, I just didn't think it tasted as good. As I've gotten older, I've grown to love dark chocolate. Not only is it delicious, but it's healthy too! Bonus!


Recently, an amazing local chocolate maker, Olive and Sinclair, opened in Nashville. They create small batch, hand crafted chocolate that founder, owner, and maker, Scott Witherow has labeled as "Southern Artisan Chocolate."

Their darkest chocolate made with organic cacao beans from the Dominican Republic

Olive and Sinclair offers a variety of creative and interesting flavors like Sea Salt, Salt and Pepper, Cacao Nibs, and Mexican Style Cinn-Chili. They are all amazing. And let's not forget the wrappers which are just as beautiful as the chocolate. Since I'm such a fan of all things spicy, I think I like the Mexican Style chocolate bar the best. The mix of the salty, dark chocolate and the smoky cinnamon blended to create a delicious granular textured bar is to die for. 

Check out their website for more information on the chocolate, the chocolate maker Scott, and some great photos and video on how it's all done.

Olive and Sinclair
1404 McGavock Pike, Suite C
Nashville, Tennessee
P: 615.262.3007
oliveandsinclair.com

Pasta Night

On the nights that I am not eating out, I am usually making something simple, easy, and a breeze to clean up. That means we have pasta at least one night a week. I always use fresh veggies and sometimes throw some kind of protein in a separate pan for my meat-eating boyfriend. I hate to admit it, but yes, I almost always use store bought sauce. In the late summer when my parents' tomatoes are plentiful and ripe, I make a raw tomato basil sauce that is to die for. Until then, I settle for the jar. Luckily, I have found the best pasta sauce you can buy, Brignola! It is locally made in Old Hickory, TN. They have two varieties that are available at my local Whole Foods; Marinara and Arrabbiata. I always opt for the Arrabbiata since it is spicy and I'm obsessed with all things spicy!

As you've probably seen in my other posts, I'm always using veggies from my parent's garden. They have a small garden on their 7 acres in Franklin, TN and I'm always driving to their house to steal whatever summer veggies are ripe! Every week I throw in different veggies, whatever I have on hand that is fresh, local and in season. On this particular pasta night I had some summer squash from my parent's garden so I sautéed the squash along with some asparagus, onion, garlic, and kalamata olives.

All you need to do to make this simple dish is chop up all the veggies, throw them in a pan with some oil (lately I've been using coconut oil), and sauté them until they are slightly browned. Next, just pour the sauce over the veggies, let it all simmer for 5-7 minutes, and pour it on your pasta. That's it! A no fail, quick and easy dinner!

The final product topped with fresh parsley and crushed red pepper.  And of course, wine!

Don't forget to check out Brignola sauces. They really are amazing!
www.brignolafoods.com

Happy Eating,
Evyn

Stefano's Pizza

This past weekend I went on my annual family trip. My entire family on my mom's side, all 17 of us, go to Gatlinburg and rent a cabin. We all stay together and hang out, play cards, and eat lots of food. After three gluttonous days in the Smoky Mountains with my family, my mom and I decided one more day of overindulgence couldn't hurt. We stopped in Knoxville on the way home to grab some pizzas from our favorite place in the world, Stefano's. Stefano's has been in Knoxville for awhile. In fact, my mom and dad used live in Knoxville and go on dates there before they were married.

Stefano's is a Chicago style pizza, though not the super deep dish kind you might be thinking of. The best part about their pizza is the crust! They were the first pizza joint I had ever heard of to have whole wheat crust, and let me tell you, its the best; thick and crunchy but with a fluffy bread-like texture inside. It is also the best pizza sauce I've ever had. It's extra thick and dark red in color with lots of flavor, unlike most pizza sauces that are thin and runny and taste watered down. We always order our pizzas with extra sauce! 

Large veggie on whole wheat with extra sauce. YUM!

Stefano's has all the regular toppings and combinations, and I'm sure they are all good but I have never, and will never, stray from the regular veggie pizza. Even my boyfriend Jaren, who is an avid pepperoni and sausage pizza eater, likes their veggie pizza better! They load the pizza up with bell peppers, onions, mushrooms and green and black olives. It's simply the best. 

My slices. Always topped with a heavy dose of crushed red pepper!

If you get a chance, stop by Stefano's when you're in or even near Knoxville. It's well worth a short (or long) drive. And a little tip, if you decide to dine in, don't forget to get a fountain drink. They not only have the best pizza I've ever had, but the best ice too! Now if we can only get one in Nashville...
Stefano's
1937 Cumberland Ave.
Knoxville, TN
(865) 522-4151

Grilling

The weather this past weekend was perfect for grilling out. It was little hot, but when you grow up in Nashville, you're used to hot summers. On both Saturday and Sunday, my boyfriend Jaren and I took advantage of the weather and did some serious grilling. After a late night out on Friday, all we wanted to do on Saturday was relax at home and eat some good food, so that's just what we did. Following our long and expensive trip to Whole Foods on Saturday, we were ready to get the grill going. I bought lots of veggies to throw on and Jaren got a grass-fed sirloin for himself. I have to say the highlight of the meal was my grilled green cabbage, inspired by chef Guerry's cabbage I had at The Yellow Porch last weekend. It is so simple and so yummy.

Guerry's Grilled Green Cabbage

Half and then quarter one head of green cabbage (I used half of the head for the two of us)

Cut the quarters into two wedges

Rub butter on all sides of the cabbage wedges, then season with salt and cracked black pepper

Wrap the cabbage in aluminum foil and throw on the grill! (The wedges should become slightly mushy to the touch and begin to look transparent in color, about 15 minutes)

Saturday's meal: Grilled cabbage, corn, homemade sweet potato fries, and our first tomato of the summer!

On Sunday our friend Glenn invited us over to his house to grill out again. He had already prepared some chicken and fish so we brought squash and zucchini to grill and I made a potato salad which was quite good if I do say so! I always change up my potato salad recipes depending on the season so yesterday I opted for a lighter more pared down version.

Summer Potato Salad

What you'll need: Baby red potatoes, mayonnaise or veginase, dijon mustard, 4-5 stalks celery (chopped), 1/2 red onion (chopped), large bunch chopped dill, juice of 1/2 lemon, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper

Directions: Boil potatoes for about 7 minutes or until soft (but not mushy)

Drain the potatoes and let cool (place in fridge if you are in a rush)

After potatoes are cool, mix in mayonnaise/veginase, dijon, celery, onion, dill, lemon and spices

Refrigerate and enjoy!

Dill (from my mom's herb garden), celery, red onion for potato salad

Summer potato salad!

When we got to Glenn's he was grilling up a storm and as usual, there was too much food. Not a bad problem to have! He grilled some of his famous chicken, this time in a Mexican inspired marinade, as well as some Haddock spiced with smoked paprika, parsley, and dill. There was also a delicious fruit salad, caprese stacks, and our grilled veggies. We had a serious summer feast!

Glenn's grilled Haddock

Fruit salad: Mango, strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, and fresh basil. How gorgeous?

Glenn's plate. See, too much food!

Hope all of you enjoyed your weekend and ate as much food as I did!

Happy Eating,

Evyn

The Yellow Porch

For my first entry I wanted to write about one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville, The Yellow Porch. Last weekend, my parents and I were lucky enough to snag a table at this quaint little spot. As long as The Yellow Porch has been open, they have never advertised and it is always packed! "The Porch," as regulars like me call it, has an intimate and cozy dining room decorated with beautiful local art, as well as the best patio in town. The ambiance alone is enough to bring you back. Add to that the to-die-for food (lots of which comes from the small garden out front), amazing waitstaff, and expansive wine list, and you have a spot that can not be missed.


On any given night, The Porch is filled with a variety of people; a young rock band stopping in for dinner after a recording session at the famous Blackbird Studios down the street, a group of girls out on the town, suited-up businessmen, or a couple celebrating an anniversary. The night we decided to dine was as eclectic and busy as ever. 


We had to forego the awesome patio due to the heat and humidity so we sat inside. We started, as usual, with the best appetizer in Nashville: the "Sweetwater Tennessee Cheddar Fritters." If the words warm, cheesy, gooey, crispy, and spicy appeal to you, then you need these now. They are served with a spicy aioli and a delicious locally made chow chow. I can't go to The Porch without these and once you have them you won't be able to either.

Cheese Fritters with spicy aioli and chow chow

Every night, The Porch has at least 2 specials, usually fresh fish, in addition to the regular menu. Chef Guerry McComas creates some of the most inventive and delicious fish dishes I've ever had. I especially love all of the veggies and sides he pairs with the fish. That night, I chose the Corvina special. It was served over a local hash made with potatoes, beets, zucchini, and other seasonal veggies all tossed in an herbed brown butter sauce. I paired it with a glass of rosé and it was delicious! 

The Corvina special from The Yellow Porch

My mom chose the Alaskan Halibut special which was served over local smashed potatoes, grilled green cabbage, and a smoked yellow tomato sauce. Also absolutely incredible! I think I ended up eating as much of hers as I did my own dish. My dad, as always, got the filet. I personally do not eat red meat, but according to my dad, who is a filet aficionado, The Yellow Porch has the best filet he has ever had. If the potato and mushroom gratin that it is served with it is any indication of how good the filet itself is, then I know he is right.

Filet over potato-mushroom gratin and asparagus

After some amazing food and a great bottle of rosé, we were too stuffed to get their famous flourless chocolate torte or the bananas foster bread pudding. Next time, which won't be too long from now, I'll dive into dessert and tell you all about it.


As soon as possible, go visit chef Guerry and the incredible staff at this hip little neighborhood joint. You won't be sorry!


Happy Eating,
Evyn